Meet incredible 70-year-old volunteer Arthur who has helped to raise more than £10 million for the Children's Heart Unit Fund

Arthur Campbell MBE, 70, from Hebburn, started volunteering for CHUF, in December 1983 after his youngest son, David, was admitted to Ward 23 that July.

Since then Arthur has spent nearly four decades on CHUF’s fundraising committee, helping to raise more than £10 million for the charity.

The money raised has gone towards funding life-saving equipment, special services and lifelong support for children who are born with or develop heart conditions and their families.

Arthur’s role sees him manage the CHUF Shop in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, which involves shift rotas, accounts, sourcing and ordering stock.

He oversees more than 18 volunteers who also help at the CHUF shop and stands in when others cannot make their shift.

Based at the entrance of the Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital, it is open seven days a week, 50 weeks of the year.

Run entirely by volunteers from all walks of life, the shop is celebrating an incredible £250,000 in takings as it reaches its fifth birthday.

All profits are donated towards helping support children who are born with or develop heart conditions.

Arthur said: “The CHUF Shop opened on February 10, 2015 with five volunteers for the whole week, and some of us are still there now - Ken, Brenda, Muriel and Audrey.

“Since opening five years ago the takings have now reached £250,000.

“Over the five years we have had over 60 volunteers support the shop, who are mainly supplied from the NHS Voluntary Service based in the Regent Centre Gosforth.”

Charlotte Campbell, director of fundraising and operations at CHUF, said: “We can’t thank Arthur enough for all the support and love he’s shown CHUF over the past 37 years.

“The CHUF board of trustees would like to thank all present and past volunteers who have contributed to help raise this outstanding amount.”

To volunteer at the CHUF shop call the NHS Voluntary Service on 0191 2823307 or 0191 2823524.